Escalating conflicts in the Middle East are driving skyrocketing oil and gas prices, prompting global travel disruptions and intense diplomatic maneuvering over crucial shipping lanes.

• Israel says it has killed Iran’s top security official — Financial Times -
• FirstFT: Afghanistan says 400 killed in Pakistani strike on Kabul — Financial Times -
• Iran confirms death of top security official Ali Larijani — Financial Times -

• Opinion | The Allies Take a Pass on Iran — Wall Street Journal -
• Kharg Island Is an Appealing Target for Trump, With High Risks — The New York Times Business -
• Gas Prices Keep Rising as Seasonal Changes Add to Oil Price Pressure — The New York Times Business -
• Natural Gas Climb as Traders Watch Headlines — Wall Street Journal -
• Flight Prices Are Up Amid Soaring Fuel Costs, but Travel Demand Remains High — The New York Times Business -
• Trump lashes out at Starmer while UK works with allies to de-escalate Iran crisis — Financial Times -
• Ukraine pivots on Russian oil pipeline after EU pressure — Financial Times -
• US airlines say demand for travel is booming despite the war in Iran — Financial Times -
• Oil in Oman soars above $150 as buyers rush to replace Gulf barrels — Financial Times -
• Iran’s Hormuz Stranglehold Upends Markets and Geopolitics — The New York Times Business -
• Opinion | We Don’t Need a Strategic Petroleum Reserve — Wall Street Journal -
• Why Trump’s Strait of Hormuz Problem Is Going Global — The New York Times Business -
• Top US counterterrorism official resigns over war against Iran — Financial Times -
• European Airlines Extend Middle East Flight Suspensions — Wall Street Journal -
• The era of US dominance in economic warfare is over — Financial Times -
• Drone-struck Russian LNG tanker threatens ‘ecological disaster’ in Mediterranean — Financial Times -
• Trump struggles to build coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz — Financial Times -
• Airlines Offer Glimpse Into Operations as Middle East Conflict Weighs on Fuel Prices — Wall Street Journal -
• Afghanistan says 400 killed in Pakistani strike on Kabul hospital — Financial Times -
• Investors pile into cash at fastest pace since pandemic on Iran fears — Financial Times -
• The financial cost of war for Gulf energy producers — Financial Times -
• China is not going to bail Trump out — Financial Times -
• FirstFT: European allies reject Trump’s Hormuz armada demand — Financial Times -
• Oil Holds Above $100 as Iran Escalates Attacks Against Key Infrastructure — Wall Street Journal -
• Behind Badenoch’s theory that Starmer is courting ‘sectarian’ votes — Financial Times -
• Dubai flights delayed or cancelled after latest drone and missile attacks — Financial Times -
• Oil producers: buy the peace, not the war — Financial Times -
• Europe rules out joining Trump’s Hormuz armada — Financial Times -
• Who is winning the Middle East war? — Financial Times -
• Naval escorts will not guarantee safe passage through Strait of Hormuz, says IMO chief — Financial Times -
• How MBS’s bet on Iran backfired — Financial Times -
• Tehran prepares for a Persian new year under air assault — Financial Times -
• Oil prices reignite great airline debate: to hedge or not? — Financial Times -
• Iran war sparks upheaval in niche defence metals market — Financial Times -
• As War With Iran Hurts Oil Prices, U.S. Turns to Iranian Boats for Help — The New York Times Business -
• Iran war tests China’s oil stockpile — Financial Times -
• Takeaways From WSJ Reporting on the CIA’s Dealings With an Ex-Chevron Executive — Wall Street Journal -
• Donald Trump says he will have the ‘honour’ of ‘taking Cuba in some form’ — Financial Times -
• British Airways cancels Dubai flights until summer — Financial Times -

Major AI chip manufacturers are resuming international sales and predicting massive revenue growth, even as new AI applications face regulatory challenges and corporate teams undergo reshuffles to accelerate innovation.

• Arizona Files Criminal Charges Against Kalshi, the Prediction Site — The New York Times Business -
• Nvidia Says It Is Restarting Production of AI Chips for Sale in China — Wall Street Journal -
• Microsoft reshuffles AI team to catch up on Copilot and model building — Financial Times -

• Tech, Media & Telecom Roundup: Market Talk — Wall Street Journal -
• Nvidia restarts manufacturing of AI chips for China — Financial Times -
• China Is Embracing OpenClaw, a New A.I. Agent, and the Government Is Wary — The New York Times Business -
• How Quantum Computing Works — Wall Street Journal -
• Nvidia’s Huang predicts $1tn in AI chip revenue over 2 years — Financial Times -
• Foxconn Expects AI Demand to Remain Strong, Sees Limited Mideast Impact — Wall Street Journal -
• How AI licence plate readers became a flashpoint in US immigration battles — Financial Times -

Key executive changes at global mining companies and airlines, along with strategic shifts in e-commerce delivery and high-profile brand partnerships, are reshaping retail and industrial markets.

• BHP names Brandon Craig as its new chief executive — Financial Times -
• BHP Names Americas Chief Brandon Craig as CEO — Wall Street Journal -
• Amazon Plans Drastic Cut in Packages Sent Via Already-Struggling Postal Service — Wall Street Journal -

• Lululemon Appoints a New Board Member Amid Calls for Change — Wall Street Journal -
• Alimentation Couche-Tard Records Higher Profit, Revenue in Third Quarter — Wall Street Journal -
• Zara Teams Up With Designer John Galliano to Spice Up Brand — Wall Street Journal -
• Why Your Private Banker Is Now Handling Your Travel and Shopping Needs — Wall Street Journal -
• Bidding war for Janus Henderson intensifies as Victory Capital makes fresh offer — Financial Times -
• Victory Capital Raises Cash Offer in Revised Bid for Janus Henderson — Wall Street Journal -
• John Galliano Returns to Fashion With Zara Partnership — The New York Times Business -
• Canadian Financier to Buy Stake in Economist Magazine — Wall Street Journal -
• Coke’s Sprite Takes Back NBA Sponsorship From PepsiCo’s Starry — Wall Street Journal -
• Amazon Launches 1-Hour Delivery in Hundreds of U.S. Cities — Wall Street Journal -
• Audi Expects Profitability to Improve This Year as Work Continues to Cut Costs — Wall Street Journal -
• Sartorius Shares Rise After Company Targets Top-Line, Profitability Growth — Wall Street Journal -
• Springer Nature Shares Recover Some Ground on Upbeat Outlook — Wall Street Journal -
• Nordea to Book $219 Million Restructuring Costs, Plans Job Cuts — Wall Street Journal -
• BNP Paribas Targets Asset-Management Growth Under 2030 Plan — Wall Street Journal -
• Gucci Owner Kering Brings Jewelry Brands Together in New Unit — Wall Street Journal -
• Dollar Tree Sees Sales Growth Slowing Despite Influx of Inflation-Weary Shoppers — Wall Street Journal -
• Lululemon Scrambles to Revive Yoga Pants Empire Amid Fight With Founder — The New York Times Business -
• IndiGo in turbulent times as CEO quits after operational meltdown — Financial Times -
• FT ranking: High-growth companies Asia-Pacific 2026 — Financial Times -

Major debt deals are being halted due to AI-related concerns, while EU regulators consider easing bank capital requirements and central banks grapple with inflation, prompting interest rate hikes and warnings about distress in private credit markets.

• JPMorgan halts $5.3bn Qualtrics debt deal as AI fears chill demand — Financial Times -
• EU moves to delay increase in bank capital requirements — Financial Times -
• Energy & Utilities Roundup: Market Talk — Wall Street Journal -

• Salesforce reckons software and debt do mix after all — Financial Times -
• Best Small-Business Loans in March 2026 — Wall Street Journal -
• It’s time for hawkish central bank talk — Financial Times -
• BNP bets European private credit boom can defy US downturn — Financial Times -
• Australia raises interest rates in big week for global central banks — Financial Times -
• The golden age of private credit (distress) — Financial Times -
• Spain warns EU against suspending carbon market to try to lower energy prices — Financial Times -
• Iran crisis puts Bank of England’s new monetary model to the test — Financial Times -
• Blue Owl tipped UK mortgage lender into insolvency after uncovering ‘irregularities’ — Financial Times -
• Washington seeks to reassure sovereign wealth funds over tax changes — Financial Times -
• Europe is also at risk from credit cockroaches — Financial Times -

Significant investments in EV battery manufacturing in the US and Australia, alongside advances in autonomous trucking technology and rapid delivery services, are transforming global transportation and logistics.

• Tesla, LG Bet on U.S. Batteries With $4.3 Billion Michigan Plant — Wall Street Journal -
• InCommodities Inks $141.5 Million Australian Battery Deal With Vena Group — Wall Street Journal -
• Auto & Transport Roundup: Market Talk — Wall Street Journal -

• Driverless Big Rigs Are Coming to American Highways, and Soon — The New York Times Business -
• China Has Five-Minute EV Charging. America Is Trying to Catch Up. — Wall Street Journal -
• What the world can learn from Ireland’s battle to power data centres — Financial Times -
• Baltic high-speed rail link delayed as defence takes priority — Financial Times -

Oscars viewership has declined, Southwest Airlines faces scrutiny over its passenger policies, and media outlets are seeing leadership changes, while broader trends include growth in wellness services and ongoing debates over public health policies.

• Plus-Size Southwest Passengers Say New Extra-Seat Policy Has Led to Fat Shaming — The New York Times Business -
• Oscars Viewership Slides 9%, Its First Drop Since 2021 — The New York Times Business -
• Warner Bros Discovery’s mystery Singapore suitor — Financial Times -

• Richard Mauer, Reporter Who Probed Corruption in Alaska, Dies at 76 — The New York Times Business -
• Inside the Katseye Fandom: Friendships, Rivalries and Boycotts Over Manon’s Hiatus — The New York Times Business -
• Christopher A. Sims, 83, Dies; Won Nobel for Modeling Economic Policy — The New York Times Business -
• UK considers expanding vaccinations for meningitis B after fatal outbreak — Financial Times -
• Warner Bros chief David Zaslav in line for $700mn payday — Financial Times -
• America Now Has More Spas and Gyms Than Stores Selling Actual Stuff — Wall Street Journal -
• Wired’s New Editor Doesn’t Care if the Tech Bros Are Mad — The New York Times Business -
• Wired’s New Editor Doesn’t Care if the Tech Bros Are Mad — The New York Times Business -
• ‘I see everything in 3D’: Christine Sun Kim on echo chambers, sign language and Deaf life — Financial Times -
• ‘It’s going to take a lot of work’: America struggles with housing crunch — Financial Times -
• An around-the-world guide to second-hand shopping — Financial Times -
• Introducing Untold: Opus Dei — Financial Times -
• David Zaslav Deal Pay Could Top $800 Million After Last-Minute Tax Benefit — Wall Street Journal -
• Airport Security Lines Grow as TSA Goes Unpaid in Partial Shutdown — The New York Times Business -
• She Hoped Ketamine Would Rewire Her Brain. She Didn’t Live to See It Work. — Wall Street Journal -
• Judge Strikes Down RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Policies in Blow to Trump’s Health Agenda — The New York Times Business -

UK-EU economic talks face hurdles, European defense spending is increasing amid regional conflicts, and major mineral deals are taking place in Africa, reflecting shifting global power dynamics and cross-border policy efforts.

• Reeves’ ambitious growth rhetoric clashes with reality — Financial Times -
• EU weighs curbs on national powers to block mergers — Financial Times -
• Rachel Reeves warned that more than warm words are needed to woo the EU — Financial Times -

• US-backed group buys DR Congo copper-cobalt mine under minerals deal — Financial Times -
• Gerry Adams denies being IRA member in historic London court appearance — Financial Times -
• Belgian aristocrat to face charges over murder of Congo’s first premier — Financial Times -
• Rachel Reeves backs more regional devolution to ‘unlock growth’ — Financial Times -
• Senior NHS manager who advised Palantir to step down from role — Financial Times -
• Philip Tinari on growing China’s museum audience: ‘It’s about bringing things in from the outside’ — Financial Times -
• EU Approves Leonardo’s Nearly $2 Billion Iveco Group Defense Deal — Wall Street Journal -
• Ukraine makes rare advance inside ‘kill zone’ — Financial Times -
• Trio of European states set up new fund to boost defence spending — Financial Times -
• How do you get off the UK sanctions list? This billionaire wants to know — Financial Times -
• From Vienna’s rooftops, the Kremlin is listening in — Financial Times -